Current Time in Costa Rica
Check local time in San José and all Costa Rica cities. Costa Rica uses CST (UTC-6).
Costa Rica Quick Facts
🕐 Time Zones in Costa Rica
Costa Rica uses Central Standard Time (UTC-6) year-round. San José is the capital. The country is known for its biodiversity and eco-tourism.
Most regions of Costa Rica observe Daylight Saving Time, typically from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. During DST, clocks move forward one hour. Some regions may have different rules, so verify the specific location.
🏙️ Major Cities in Costa Rica (1 cities)
Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.
📞 Best Time to Call Costa Rica
Costa Rica shares similar time zones with many North American locations, making scheduling calls relatively convenient. For European callers, afternoon calls (after 2:00 PM local time) will catch Costa Rica during their morning business hours.
Standard business hours in Costa Rica are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
✈️ Time-Related Travel Tips for Costa Rica
Costa Rica is well-connected with flights from major global hubs. Time zone differences within the Americas are generally manageable for business travel. Remember that Spanish is the primary language. Business culture may include longer lunch breaks in some regions.
🎯 Interesting Facts About Time in Costa Rica
- •Despite its size, Costa Rica uses only one time zone, simplifying scheduling across the entire country.
- •The capital San José is the political center of Costa Rica with a total national population of 5M.
- •Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
- •The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.
About Time in Costa Rica
Costa Rica uses a single time zone (CST (UTC-6)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.
The capital city San José serves as the political and often economic center of Costa Rica. Major business activities are spread across cities including San José.
When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in Costa Rica, it's important to consider the time zone difference. CST (UTC-6) is the most commonly referenced time zone for Costa Rica.
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (₡) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +506.The official language is Spanish.
🏙️ Cities in Costa Rica
Explore local time in 1 city across Costa Rica
🌍 Other Countries in Americas
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Costa Rica
What time zone is Costa Rica in?
Costa Rica uses CST (UTC-6). The capital San José uses CST (UTC-6).
Does Costa Rica observe Daylight Saving Time?
Most regions of Costa Rica observe Daylight Saving Time, typically from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. During DST, clocks move forward one hour. Some regions may have different rules, so verify the specific location.
What is the best time to call Costa Rica from the US?
Costa Rica shares similar time zones with many North American locations, making scheduling calls relatively convenient. For European callers, afternoon calls (after 2:00 PM local time) will catch Costa Rica during their morning business hours.
What are typical business hours in Costa Rica?
Standard business hours in Costa Rica are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.